U.S. patent application number 15/748445 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-06 for conveyance seat.
The applicant listed for this patent is TS TECH CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yuichi Honma, Tatsuro Ogawa.
Application Number | 20180251176 15/748445 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57943065 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180251176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ogawa; Tatsuro ; et
al. |
September 6, 2018 |
CONVEYANCE SEAT
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a conveyance seat that can
discharge liquid splashed on a cover member of the seat so that
clothing does not get wet with the liquid remaining on the cover
member. A conveyance seat includes a bottom plate and a cover
member attached to the bottom plate. A discharge hole for
discharging the liquid splashed on the cover member is formed in
the bottom plate. The cover member includes: a slit by which the
surface is divided; and welded portions where portions of the cover
member divided by the slit are welded together. The welded portions
are inclined toward the discharge hole to form discharge lines
which guide discharge of the liquid splashed on the cover
member.
Inventors: |
Ogawa; Tatsuro; (Tochigi,
JP) ; Honma; Yuichi; (Tochigi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TS TECH CO., LTD. |
Asaka-shi, Saitama |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
57943065 |
Appl. No.: |
15/748445 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
July 29, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2016/072367 |
371 Date: |
January 29, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 1/12 20130101; B62J
1/22 20130101; B62J 1/20 20130101; B62J 1/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B62J 1/12 20060101
B62J001/12; B62J 1/20 20060101 B62J001/20; B62J 1/22 20060101
B62J001/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2015 |
JP |
2015-152364 |
Claims
1. A conveyance seat comprising: a bottom plate; and a cover member
adapted to be attached to the bottom plate, wherein: a discharge
hole configured to discharge liquid splashed on the cover member is
formed in the bottom plate; the cover member includes a divided
portion by which the cover member is divided into a first portion
and a second portion; a welded portion where a portion of the first
portion and a portion of the second portion are welded together is
formed on the cover member; and in a state where the cover member
is attached to the bottom plate, the welded portion is inclined
downward toward the discharge hole to form at least one discharge
line configured to guide discharge of the liquid splashed on the
cover member.
2. The conveyance seat according to claim 1, wherein a top-side
protrusion surrounding the discharge hole is formed on the top side
of the bottom plate.
3. The conveyance seat according to claim 1, wherein a back-side
protrusion surrounding the discharge hole is formed on the back
side of the bottom plate.
4. The conveyance seat according to claim 1, wherein: the cover
member includes a discharge guide portion that extends through the
discharge hole of the bottom plate to guide discharge of the
liquid; and the discharge guide portion is formed protruded
compared to its surroundings.
5. The conveyance seat according to claim 1, wherein in a state
where the cover member is attached to the bottom plate, the first
portion and the second portion extend through and beyond the
discharge hole to be fixed to the bottom plate at different
positions thereof so that a release portion is formed at an end of
the discharge line.
6. The conveyance seat according to claim 1, wherein: a passage
hole that provides a space surrounded by the first portion, the
second portion, and the welded portion to be communicated with the
outside is formed in the cover member; and the cover member is
attached to the bottom plate such that the at least one discharge
line comprises a plurality of discharge lines that extend downward
of the discharge hole and such that the passage hole is arranged
below the discharge hole.
7. The conveyance seat according to claim 6, wherein: in a state
where the cover member is attached to the bottom plate, the first
portion and the second portion extend through and beyond the
discharge hole to be fixed to the bottom plate in an overlapped
manner; and the passage hole is formed in one of the first portion
and the second portion, which is arranged below the other of the
first portion and the second portion.
8. The conveyance seat according to claim 1, wherein: the bottom
plate includes a bottom portion and a backrest portion arranged
rearward of the bottom portion; the bottom portion and the backrest
portion are covered by the cover member; the discharge hole is
formed between the bottom portion and the backrest portion; and the
divided portion is arranged between the bottom portion and the
backrest portion in a state where the cover member is attached to
the bottom plate.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a National Stage Entry application of
PCT Application No. PCT/JP2016/072367, filed Jul. 29, 2016, which
claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. JP
2015-152364, filed on Jul. 31, 2015, the contents being
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a conveyance seat and
particularly pertains to a conveyance seat including a discharge
hole for discharging liquid adhered to a cover member.
[0003] In conveyance seats exposed to the outdoors, such as seats
mounted on a two-wheeled automotive vehicle, liquid such as
raindrops may remain on the seat. In addition, when an occupant
sits on the seat, the occupant's clothing may get dirty by the
liquid remaining on the seat or the occupant may feel uncomfortable
with the liquid adhered to the clothing.
[0004] Japanese Patent Publication JP 5337560 B discloses, as a
technique to prevent liquid from remaining between a backrest and a
seat body of a seat for two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicles among
such conveyance seats, the technique in which ribs are formed
between a backrest and a seat body to form a gap therebetween and
thereby liquid is prevented from remaining therebetween.
[0005] More specifically, the liquid remains between the backrest
and the seat body and the backrest is pressed when an occupant sits
on the seat. Accordingly, the backrest separates from the seat body
and the liquid leaks out from between the backrest and the seat
body; therefore, clothing may get dirty by the liquid. According to
the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication JP 5337560
B, the gap is formed in advance by the ribs between the backrest
and the seat body; thereby, such problem is solved, that is, the
liquid is prevented from remaining between the backrest and the
seat body.
[0006] As in Japanese Patent Publication JP 5337560 B, the gap is
formed between the backrest and the seat body and thereby the
liquid can be prevented from remaining therebetween; however, it is
problematic that the liquid is prevented from remaining in a
portion other than the gap between the backrest and the seat body.
For example, in a seat where a groove is provided in a cushion
material and a cover member is pulled into the groove, liquid may
remain in the groove. Therefore, a conveyance seat has been
required to include the structure where the water that has entered
a gap in a cover member is discharged without remaining in the gap.
Further, in discharging the water from the cover member, it is
necessary that the water is prevented from entering an unexpected
portion, for example, a portion where a cushion material
susceptible to hydrolysis or an electric system such as a connector
is located.
SUMMARY
[0007] Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a
conveyance seat which can smoothly discharge liquid splashed on a
cover member so that clothing may not get wet with the liquid
remaining on the cover member. Also, an embodiment of the present
disclosure prevents the liquid from leaking out to an unexpected
portion.
[0008] The foregoing problem can be solved by an embodiment of a
conveyance seat according to the present disclosure, including: a
bottom plate; and a cover member adapted to be attached to the
bottom plate, wherein a discharge hole configured to discharge
liquid splashed on the cover member is formed in the bottom plate;
the cover member includes a divided portion by which the cover
member is divided into a first portion and a second portion; a
welded portion where a portion of the first portion and a portion
of the second portion are welded together is formed on the cover
member; and in a state where the cover member is attached to the
bottom plate, the welded portion is inclined downward toward the
discharge hole to form at least one discharge line configured to
guide discharge of the liquid splashed on the cover member.
[0009] According to the above configuration, even when the liquid
enters the divided portion of the cover member, the liquid is
discharged along the inclination of the discharge line formed by
the welded portion where portions of the divided portion are welded
together, thereby being discharged through the discharge hole.
Therefore, the liquid does not remain in the divided portion, and
clothing of a seated occupant can be prevented from getting
wet.
[0010] Also, a top-side protrusion surrounding the discharge hole
may be formed on the top side of the bottom plate. According to the
above configuration, the liquid flowing from the cover member can
be held in the periphery of the discharge hole by the top-side
protrusion and thereby the liquid can be prevented from
unexpectedly leaking out to a cushion material or the like located
around the discharge hole.
[0011] Further, a back-side protrusion surrounding the discharge
hole may be formed on the back side of the bottom plate. According
to the above configuration, the liquid discharged through the
discharge hole can be prevented by the back-side protrusion from
entering an electric wire, a connector, or the like on the back
side of the bottom plate.
[0012] Furthermore, the cover member may include a discharge guide
portion that extends through the discharge hole of the bottom plate
to guide discharge of the liquid, and the discharge guide portion
may be formed protruded compared to its surroundings. According to
the above configuration, the cover member includes the discharge
guide portion and thereby the liquid flowing from the cover member
is guided along the discharge guide portion to the discharge hole.
Therefore, the liquid can be prevented from leaking out to the
surroundings of the discharge hole.
[0013] Moreover, in a state where the cover member is attached to
the bottom plate, the first portion and the second portion may
extend through and beyond the discharge hole to be fixed to the
bottom plate at different positions thereof so that a release
portion is formed at an end of the discharge line. According to the
above configuration, the first portion and the second portion
extend through and beyond the discharge hole to be fixed to the
bottom plate at the different positions thereof so that the release
portion is formed; therefore, the liquid can be smoothly discharged
from the release portion.
[0014] Also, a passage hole that provides a space surrounded by the
first portion, the second portion, and the welded portion to be
communicated with the outside may be formed in the cover member,
and the cover member may be attached to the bottom plate such that
the at least one discharge line comprises a plurality of discharge
lines that extend downward of the discharge hole and such that the
passage hole is arranged below the discharge hole. According to the
above configuration, the passage hole is formed in the cover
member. Thus, instead of the configuration where the liquid is
discharged from a portion to which the discharge line extends, the
liquid can be discharged from the passage hole. Consequently, for
example, even if the portion to which the discharge line extends is
closed by a staple or the like, the liquid can be smoothly
discharged from the passage hole.
[0015] Further, in a state where the cover member is attached to
the bottom plate, the first portion and the second portion may
extend through and beyond the discharge hole to be fixed to the
bottom plate in an overlapped manner, and the passage hole may be
formed in one of the first portion and the second portion, which is
arranged below the other of the first portion and the second
portion. According to the above configuration, the first portion
and the second portion are overlapped with each other and thereby
are fixed together by a staple or the like to the bottom plate. In
addition, the passage hole is formed in one of the first portion
and the second portion, which is arranged below the other of the
first portion and the second portion. Therefore, the liquid can be
smoothly discharged from the passage hole.
[0016] Furthermore, the bottom plate may include a bottom portion
and a backrest portion arranged rearward of the bottom portion, the
bottom portion and the backrest portion may be covered by the cover
member. The discharge hole may be formed between the bottom portion
and the backrest portion. The divided portion may be arranged
between the bottom portion and the backrest portion in a state
where the cover member is attached to the bottom plate. According
to the above configuration, the discharge hole is formed between
the bottom portion and the backrest portion and the divided portion
is arranged therebetween. Therefore, even in a state where the
bottom plate is covered by the cover member, the liquid can be
discharged from the divided portion through the discharge hole
located between the bottom portion and the backrest portion.
[0017] According to the present disclosure, the liquid does not
remain in the divided portion of the cover member and thus clothing
of a seated occupant can be prevented from getting wet. Further,
the liquid can be prevented from leaking to the surroundings of the
discharge hole, and the liquid can be prevented from leaking out to
an unexpected portion such as the cushion material or the
connector. Furthermore, the liquid flowing through the discharge
hole can be smoothly discharged from the release portion or the
passage hole. Moreover, the first portion and the second portion of
the cover member can be fixed together to the bottom plate, and in
addition, the liquid flowing through the discharge hole can be
smoothly discharged from the passage hole. Also, the liquid can be
discharged from the discharge hole located between the bottom
portion and the backrest portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyance seat according
to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II
of FIG. 1 and schematically showing a fixed portion of an end of a
cover member to a bottom plate.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a vertical wall
provided on the top surface of the bottom plate and a vertical wall
provided on the back surface of the bottom plate.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the end of the back
surface of the cover member and schematically illustrating
discharge lines, formed by welded portions, and the liquid
flow.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state of the
surroundings of a discharging guide portion provided at the cover
member.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to a
cross-section taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and
schematically showing a state where the cover member according to a
second embodiment of the present disclosure is fixed to the bottom
plate.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where
respective portions of a front cover and a rear cover that are
overlapped with each other are welded together by welded
portions.
[0025] FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing an example of the welded
portions.
[0026] FIG. 8B is a schematic view showing an example of other
welded portions.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to a
cross-section taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 1 and
schematically showing a state where the cover member according to a
third embodiment of the present disclosure is fixed to the bottom
plate.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a front cover including
a passage hole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein
with reference to the drawings. A conveyance seat of the present
disclosure is applied to a conveyance including a seat exposed
outside, and specifically, the conveyance seat may be applied to a
two-wheeled automotive vehicle, an automobile three-wheeled
vehicle, an industrial vehicle, or the like. In the following
embodiments, a conveyance seat 1 for a two-wheeled automotive
vehicle is described.
[0030] In addition, the embodiments described below are each merely
an example for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure
and may not limit the present disclosure. In other words, it will
be understood that the shape, dimensions, arrangement, or the like
of each component to be described below can be changed and modified
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure and that
the present disclosure may include equivalents thereof.
[0031] In the following description, "a front to back direction"
corresponds to a front to back direction of the conveyance seat 1
and coincides with a travelling direction of the two-wheeled
automotive vehicle. "A width direction" corresponds to a width
(right-to-left width) of the conveyance seat 1.
First Embodiment
[Configuration of Conveyance Seat]
[0032] First, the configuration of the conveyance seat 1 according
to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is described with
reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5. In addition, FIG. 1 is a perspective
view of the conveyance seat 1, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view
taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1 and schematically showing a
fixed portion of an end of a cover member 4 to a bottom plate 2.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a vertical wall 2f provided on
the top surface of the bottom plate 2 and a vertical wall 2g
provided on the back surface of the bottom plate 2. Further, FIG. 4
is a drawing showing the end of the back surface of the cover
member 4 and schematically illustrating discharge lines L1, L2
respectively formed by welded portions 4b, 4c and the liquid flow.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state of the surroundings of
a discharge guide portion 4g provided at the cover member 4.
Furthermore, the liquid flow is indicated by arrows in FIG. 4 and
FIG. 5.
[0033] The conveyance seat 1 is an example of a conveyance seat and
is a straddle-type seat of a two-wheeled automotive vehicle on
which an occupant sits. The conveyance seat 1 is installed on a
seat attachment portion (not shown) provided on a frame of the
two-wheeled automotive vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the
conveyance seat 1 mainly includes the bottom plate 2, a cushion
material 3 mounted on the bottom plate 2, and the cover member 4
attached to the bottom plate 2 while covering the cushion material
3.
[0034] The bottom plate 2 is made of a synthetic resin or the like.
In particular, pull-in holes 2h which are shown in FIG. 3 and
through which loops 4f (described below) extend, for pulling in the
cover member 4, are formed in the bottom plate 2. Also, a discharge
hole 2e through which the end of the cover member 4 extends to
discharge liquid, such as rainwater splashed on the cover member 4,
is formed in the bottom plate 2 so as to be located adjacent to the
pull-in holes 2h. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the
vertical wall 2f as a top-side protrusion formed to protrude on the
top side of the bottom plate 2 and the vertical wall 2g as a
back-side protrusion formed to protrude on the back side of the
bottom plate 2 are formed on the bottom plate 2 so as to surround
the discharge hole 2e and the pull-in holes 2h.
[0035] The cushion material 3 is made of a foamed material such as
a slab urethane foam and is configured to be divided into a
plurality of portions, i.e. a center portion 3a, side portions 3b,
and other portions in the seat width direction, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0036] A plurality of covers made of vinyl leather or the like are
sewn together, thereby forming the cover member 4. The end of the
cover member 4 is fixed by staples 5 to the bottom plate 2. Also,
the cover member 4 includes: a center cover 4i as a first portion
according to the present disclosure, which is located in the center
in the seat width direction; and side covers 4j, each as a second
portion according to the present disclosure, which is located at
the side in the seat width direction. A side portion of the center
cover 4i and a center portion of the side cover 4j are overlapped
with each other to be interposed between the center portion 3a and
each of the side portions 3b of the cushion material 3, thereby
forming a slit 4a, which corresponds to a divided portion according
to the present disclosure. Respective ends of the center cover 4i
and the side cover 4j interposed between the center portion 3a and
the side portion 3b are pulled into the pull-in holes 2h by the
loops 4f shown in FIG. 4; thereby, the cover member 4 is closely
attached to the cushion material 3 and brought into a stretched
state. In addition, the loops 4f are held by tarpaulin fabrics 4e
as reinforcement fabrics sewn to the cover member 4.
[0037] The discharge guide portion 4g configured to guide discharge
of the liquid is formed at the lower end of a portion of the cover
member 4 at which the center cover 4i and the side cover 4j are
overlapped with each other. The discharge guide portion 4g is
formed in a tongue shape protruding downward relative to other
portions to extend through the discharge hole 2e of the bottom
plate 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a distal end of the
discharge guide portion 4g at the center cover 4i is fixed by the
staple 5 to the bottom plate 2 located in the center in the seat
width direction. A distal end of the discharge guide portion 4g at
the side cover 4j is fixed by the staple 5 to the bottom plate 2
located at the side in the seat width direction. As just described,
the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4g at the center
cover 4i and the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4g at
the side cover 4j are fixed to the bottom plate 2 at different
positions thereof; thereby, a release portion 4r for discharging
the liquid passing the discharge guide portion 4g is formed in the
cover member 4.
[0038] Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the center cover 4i and the side
cover 4j are welded together in an overlapped manner in the slit
4a. Welded portions 4b, 4c where welding is applied as just
described form respective portions of discharge lines L1, L2. The
discharge lines L1, L2 are positioned above the loops 4f and the
tarpaulin fabrics 4e at the end of the back surface of the cover
member 4, and the back surface of the cover member 4 is a surface
of the cover member 4, which is provided in contact with the
cushion material 3.
[0039] The welded portions 4b, 4c are formed by high-frequency
welding processing, and the surfaces of the cover member 4 are
overlapped to be closely attached by the welded portions 4b, 4c
without a gap. Also, the discharge lines L1, L2 on the cover member
4 may not have to be formed by high-frequency welding processing as
long as portions of the surface of the cover member 4 are closely
attached without a gap. Alternatively, the discharge lines L1, L2
may be formed by bonding with adhesive or the like.
[0040] The discharge lines L1, L2 formed by the welded portions 4b,
4c as described above are configured to guide the liquid dripping
from the surface of the cover member 4 to the discharge guide
portion 4g. Specifically, one portion of each of the discharge line
L1 and the discharge line L2 extends slightly obliquely downward
toward the discharge guide portion 4g from an outer end of the
cover member 4 in the width direction while extending to a position
to which an outer end of the discharge guide portion 4g in the
width direction extends. In other words, one portion of each of the
discharge line L1 and the discharge line L2 extends above and
adjacent to the discharge guide portion 4g, and an end of the one
portion of the discharge line L1 and an end of the one portion of
the discharge line L2 are opposite to and separated from each
other. The other portion of each of the discharge line L1 and the
discharge line L2 extends continuously from each of the end of the
one portion of the discharge line L1 and the end of the one portion
of the discharge line L2, which are opposite to each other, to
extend toward the lower end of the discharge guide portion 4g along
the outer end of the discharge guide portion 4g in the width
direction.
[Function of the Conveyance Seat]
[0041] In the conveyance seat 1 configured as described above, the
discharge lines L1, L2 are formed and thereby the liquid entering
from the slit 4a flows in the directions indicated by the arrows in
FIG. 4. and FIG. 5 to be discharged downward of the bottom plate 2
along the discharge guide portion 4g extending through the
discharge hole 2e. Also, even if the bottom plate 2 is covered by
the cover member 4, the slit 4a is formed in the cover member 4;
therefore, the liquid can be discharged from the slit 4a through
the discharge hole 2e. Consequently, the liquid can be prevented
from remaining in the slit 4a and clothing of an occupant can be
prevented from getting wet by the remaining liquid.
[0042] Further, the vertical walls 2f, 2g are formed as described
above and thereby the liquid passing the discharge guide portion 4g
to be described below can be prevented from leaking to the outside
of the vertical wall 2f on the top surface of the bottom plate 2
and to the outside of the vertical wall 2g on the back surface of
the bottom plate 2. Therefore, electrical leakage of electric
systems or hydrolysis in the cushion material 3 can be
inhibited.
[0043] Furthermore, the discharge hole 2e as a discharging portion
for the liquid is formed in the bottom plate 2 covered by the
cushion material 3 and the cover member 4, therefore not being
visibly exposed outside. Thus, providing the discharge hole 2e does
not restrict the function thereof in the design perspective and
does not impair merchantability on the outer appearance.
[0044] In the foregoing description, the above discharge lines L1,
L2 are configured such that the other portion of each of the
discharge line L1 and the discharge line L2 is formed continuously
with the one portion of each of the discharge line L1 and the
discharge line L2 to extend toward the lower end of the discharge
guide portion 4g along the outer end of the discharge guide portion
4g in the width direction; however, the present disclosure is not
limited to such configuration. For example, if the liquid flowing
along the discharge lines L1, L2 does not pass beyond the vertical
walls 2f, 2g, portions of the discharge lines L1, L2, which are
formed along the ends of the discharge guide portion 4g are not
necessarily required. Such a case is based on the assumption, for
example, that the ends of the discharge lines L1, L2, which are
opposite to each other, are located adequately close to each
other.
Second Embodiment
[0045] Next, the configuration of a front cover 4m as the first
portion according to the present disclosure and the configuration
of a rear cover 4n as the second portion according to the present
disclosure are described with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8A,
and FIG. 8B, wherein the front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n
configure the cover member 4 according to a second embodiment of
the present disclosure. In addition, in the second embodiment,
differences from the first embodiment is mainly described and the
same configurations as those of the first embodiment will not be
described in order to clarify the differences from the first
embodiment. Also, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to
a cross-section taken along the line VI-VI of FIG. 1 and
schematically showing a state where the cover member 4 according to
the second embodiment is fixed to the bottom plate 2. Further, FIG.
7 is a schematic perspective view showing a state where respective
portions of the front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n that are
overlapped with each other are welded together by welded portions
4d. Furthermore, FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing an example of
the welded portions 4d and FIG. 8B is a schematic view showing an
example of other welded portions 4h.
[0046] The bottom plate 2 according to the present embodiment
includes a bottom portion 2i and a backrest portion 2j provided
rearward of the bottom portion 2i. A discharge hole 2k through
which the end of the cover member 4 extends to discharge liquid
such as rainwater is formed between the bottom portion 2i and the
backrest portion 2j of the bottom plate 2.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the cushion material 3 is divided into a
front portion 3c and a rear portion 3d in the front to back
direction of the seat. The cover member 4 includes: the front cover
4m located above the bottom portion 2i to cover the surface of the
front portion 3c of the cushion material 3; and the rear cover 4n
located above the backrest portion 2j to cover the surface of the
rear portion 3d. The cover member 4 is interposed between the front
portion 3c and the rear portion 3d of the cushion material 3 to
form a slit 4k as the divided portion according to the present
disclosure. With the slit 4k, even if the bottom portion 2i and the
backrest portion 2j are covered by the cover member 4, the liquid
can be discharged from the slit 4k through the discharge hole
2k.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, a discharge guide portion 4q configured
to guide discharge of the liquid is formed at the lower end of a
portion at which the front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n
interposed between the front portion 3c and the rear portion 3d are
overlapped with each other; in other words, the discharge guide
portion 4q is formed at the lower end of the slit 4k.
[0049] In addition, a distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q
at the front cover 4m is fixed by the staple 5 to the bottom
portion 2i of the bottom plate 2, as shown in FIG. 6. A distal end
of the discharge guide portion 4q at the rear cover 4n is fixed by
the staple 5 to the backrest portion 2j of the bottom plate 2. As
just described, the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q at
the front cover 4m and the distal end of the discharge guide
portion 4q at the rear cover 4n extend through and beyond the
discharge hole 2k to be fixed to the bottom plate 2 at different
positions thereof; thereby, the release portion 4r for discharging
the liquid passing the discharge guide portion 4q is formed in the
cover member 4.
[Welded Portion]
[0050] Also, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the front cover 4m and
the rear cover 4n are welded in an overlapped manner in the slit
4k. The welded portions 4d where welding is applied as just
described forms a pair of discharge lines L3 symmetric to each
other with respect to the center in the seat width direction.
[0051] The pair of discharge lines L3 extends along the end of the
front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n. Specifically, the pair of
discharge lines L3 extends substantially in parallel with each
other at outer portions thereof located on the upper side of the
discharge lines L3 and in the seat width direction, is bent at
predetermined positions thereof located on the lower side toward
the center in the seat width direction to extend obliquely
downward, and extends again in parallel with each other from a
portion above the discharge guide portion 4q toward the end of the
discharge guide portion 4q. In addition, the pair of discharge
lines L3 is formed so as to extend downward of the discharge hole
2k of the bottom plate 2 in a state where the end of the discharge
guide portion 4q of the cover member 4 is attached to the bottom
plate 2.
[0052] Further, in order that the front cover 4m and the rear cover
4n are separated from each other and foldable so as to form the
release portion 4r at the end portion of the discharge guide
portion 4q, the pair of discharge lines L3 is formed so as not to
extend to the end of the discharge guide portion 4q and thus a
predetermined distance from the end of the discharge guide portion
4g is provided.
[0053] Furthermore, the shapes of the welded portions and the
discharge lines according to the present disclosure are not limited
to the shape of the discharge lines L3 formed by the welded portion
4d and the welded portion 4d. Alternatively, the welded portions
and the discharge lines may have the shapes of the welded portions
4h and the discharge lines L4, as shown in FIG. 8B. The discharge
lines L4 are formed so as not to extend along the end of the front
cover 4m and the rear cover 4n. Specifically, the discharge lines
L4 are different from the discharge lines L3 in that the discharge
lines L4 do not extend in parallel with each other at outer
portions thereof located on the upper side of the discharge lines
L4 and in the seat width direction, and the discharge lines L4 are
formed to have a tapered shape toward the discharge guide portion
4q while extending at a sharp angle compared with the obliquely
downward extending portions of the discharge lines L3.
[0054] As described above, the inclination of each discharge line
L4 is formed to have a sharp angle smaller than that of the
inclination of each discharge line L3 and thereby liquid splashed
on the cover member 4 can be smoothly discharged along the
discharge lines L4. On the other hand, the discharge lines L3 are
formed along the end of the front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n.
Accordingly, a space formed by the welded portions 4d in the slit
4k between the front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n can be larger
than a space formed by the discharge lines L4. Therefore, even when
a large volume of liquid enters the slit 4k, the liquid can be
prevented from overflowing from the slit 4k to the surface of the
cover member 4 on which an occupant is seated.
[0055] The configuration of the discharge lines L3 or the discharge
lines L4 formed between the front cover 4m and the rear cover 4n
can be surely applied to the configuration of the discharge line L1
and the discharge line L2 that are formed between the center cover
4i and the side cover 4j according to the first embodiment.
Third Embodiment
[0056] Finally, the configuration of a front cover 4p as the first
portion according to the present disclosure and the configuration
of the rear cover 4n are described with reference to FIG. 9 and
FIG. 10, wherein the front cover 4p and the rear cover 4n configure
the cover member 4 according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure. In addition, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view
corresponding to a cross-section taken along the line IX-IX of FIG.
1 and schematically showing a state where the cover member 4
according to the third embodiment is fixed to the bottom plate 2.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the front cover 4p including a
passage hole 4pa.
[0057] In the foregoing descriptions, according to the first
embodiment, the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4g at the
center cover 4i and the distal end of the discharge guide portion
4g at the side cover 4j are fixed by the staples 5 to the bottom
plate 2 at different positions thereof, and according to the second
embodiment, the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q at the
front cover 4m and the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q
at the rear cover 4n are fixed by the staples 5 to the bottom plate
2 at different positions thereof. According to the third
embodiment, a distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q at the
front cover 4p and a distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q
at the rear cover 4n are configured so that the distal ends are
fixed by the staple 5 to the bottom plate 2 at the same
position.
[0058] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the distal end of the
discharge guide portion 4q at the front cover 4p and the distal end
of the discharge guide portion 4q at the rear cover 4n are fixed by
the staple 5 to the backrest portion 2j of the bottom plate 2 in an
overlapped manner. As just described, the distal end of the
discharge guide portion 4q at the front cover 4p and the distal end
of the discharge guide portion 4q at the rear cover 4n are fixed to
the bottom plate 2 at the same position in an overlapped manner;
therefore, the work to fix the distal ends to the bottom plate 2 is
facilitated.
[0059] In addition, the passage hole 4pa extending through the
front cover 4p in the thickness direction thereof is formed between
the pair of discharge lines L3 located in the discharge guide
portion 4q at the front cover 4p. In other words, the passage hole
4pa is formed so as to allow a space surrounded by the front cover
4p, the rear cover 4n, and the welded portions 4d to be
communicated with the outside. The passage hole 4pa is configured
to discharge liquid passing through the space to the outside. The
passage hole 4pa is formed so as to be arranged below the discharge
hole 2k of the bottom plate 2 in a state where the end of the
discharge guide portion 4q of the cover member 4 is attached to the
bottom plate 2.
[0060] The distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q at the
front cover 4p and the distal end of the discharge guide portion 4q
at the rear cover 4n extend through and beyond the discharge hole
2k to be fixed to the bottom plate 2 at the same position;
therefore the release portion 4r is not formed. Even in such a
case, the liquid may be appropriately discharged through the
passage hole 4pa downward of the discharge hole 2k.
[0061] In addition, if the front cover 4p and the rear cover 4n are
fixed by the staple 5 to the bottom portion 2i, it is only
necessary to form the passage hole 4pa in the rear cover 4n. In
other words, if the front cover 4p and the rear cover 4n extend
through the discharge hole 2k downward of the discharge hole 2k to
be folded in an overlapped manner, it is only necessary to form the
passage hole 4pa in a portion of one of the front cover 4p and the
rear cover 4n, which is located below the other of the front cover
4p and the rear cover 4n. Thus, even without the release portion
4r, the liquid can be discharged downward through the passage hole
4pa.
[0062] Also, in the foregoing descriptions, two discharge lines,
i.e., the discharge lines L1, L2 are provided or the pair of
discharge lines L3 or L4 is provided; however, the present
disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as
long as the discharge guide portion 4g, 4q is formed at an end of
one side in the front to back direction or the right to left
direction on the end of the cover member 4, only one discharge line
inclined from an end of the other side in the front to back
direction or the right to left direction may be formed on the cover
member 4.
[0063] In addition, in a conveyance vehicle, a portion of which is
provided with a movable portion which moves in reaction to an
electric signal, water may enter from a slit between a fixed
portion and the movable portion. Likewise in such a seat, according
to the foregoing configuration where the discharge lines L1, L2,
L3, L4 are provided and thereby the liquid is discharged downward
of the bottom plate 2, electrical troubles due to entry of the
liquid into an electric system can be prevented. Therefore, the
foregoing configuration may be particularly applied to such a
seat.
TABLE OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0064] 1: Conveyance seat [0065] 2: Bottom plate [0066] 2e:
Discharge hole [0067] 2f: Vertical wall (top-side protrusion)
[0068] 2g: Vertical wall (back-side protrusion) [0069] 2h: Pull-in
hole [0070] 2i: Bottom portion [0071] 2j: Backrest portion [0072]
2k: Discharge hole [0073] 3: Cushion material [0074] 3a: Center
portion [0075] 3b: Side portion [0076] 3c: Front portion [0077] 3d:
Rear portion [0078] 4: Cover member [0079] 4a: Slit (divided
portion) [0080] 4b, 4c, 4d, 4h: Welded portion [0081] 4e: Tarpaulin
fabric (reinforcement fabric) [0082] 4f: Loop [0083] 4g: Discharge
guide portion [0084] 4i: Center cover (first portion) [0085] 4j:
Side cover (second portion) [0086] 4k: Slit (divided portion)
[0087] 4m: Front cover (first portion) [0088] 4n: Rear cover
(second portion) [0089] 4p: Front cover (first portion) [0090] 4pa:
Passage hole [0091] 4q: Discharge guide portion [0092] 4r: Release
portion [0093] 5: Staple [0094] L1, L2, L3, L4: Discharge line
* * * * *